Folding reach extender

ABSTRACT

A tool configured to grasp objects, and to expand and/or retract while holding the objects is disclosed herein. The tool can include a pair of handles disposed on a first end of an expandable assembly, such as a scissor like assembly. The pair of handles can be adapted to expand the expandable assembly when they are moved towards one another and retract the expandable assembly when they are moved away from one another. A gear assembly can be disposed on a second end of the expandable assembly. The tool can allow users to reach, grasp, move, and release remote objects.

FIELD

The present embodiments generally relate to a folding reach extendertool configured to grasp an object, and to expand and/or retract whileholding the object.

BACKGROUND

A need exists for a tool to reach, grasp, move, and release remoteobjects that is extendable and retractable.

A need exists for a tool for reaching objects that is foldable and/orretractable for storage and transportation.

A further need exists for a single tool that can be used to reachobjects that are disposed at various different distances by adjusting anextension length of the tool.

The present embodiments meet these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded bottom front perspective view of theexpandable tool.

FIG. 2 depicts a portion of an exploded bottom front perspective view ofthe tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a top front perspective view of the tool in a partiallyextended position.

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom front perspective view of the tool in apartially extended position.

FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged top perspective view of the tool showing theinteraction between the various components used to engage and disengageone or more spur gears of the tool.

FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged bottom perspective view of the tool showingthe interaction between the various components used to engage anddisengage one or more spur gears.

FIG. 7 depicts an enlarged top perspective view of the tool showing anembodiment of a device usable to move the release ratchet of the tool.

FIG. 8 depicts an enlarged bottom perspective view of an embodiment withcomponents usable to move the drive ratchet away from the second gear ofthe tool.

FIGS. 9A-9E depict an embodiment of the tool at various positions duringoperation of the tool.

The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listedFigures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the present apparatus and method in detail, it is tobe understood that the apparatus and method are not limited to theparticular embodiments and that the embodiments can be practiced orcarried out in various ways.

The present embodiments relate to a tool configured to grasp an object,either expand or retract while holding the object, and to release theobject after the tool is expanded or retracted.

In one or more embodiments, the tool can include a pair of handles on afirst end of an expandable assembly. The pair of handles can be adaptedto expand the expandable assembly when they are moved toward one anotherand retract the expandable assembly when they are moved away from oneanother.

The tool can further have a first retaining arm that can move in a firstdirection towards a second retaining arm as the expandable assemblyexpands. The second retaining arm can be rigid and nonflexible, and thefirst retaining arm can be flexible and configured to bend and compressagainst objects to secure the objects between the retaining arms. Inembodiments, both of the retaining arms can be flexible or rigid.

In one or more embodiments, the retaining arms can each include a magnetfor holding metallic and magnetic objects. In one or more embodiments,each of the retaining arms can include a suction cup for engagingobjects.

The expandable assembly can include an expandable body with a pluralityof shafts. A shaft can be connected to a handle of the pair of handlesand an additional shaft can be connected to another handle of the pairof handles. Another shaft can be connected to the first retaining arm.The first retaining arm can be connected to another shaft using aportion of a gear assembly. Accordingly, at least a portion of the firstretaining arm can move relative to the shaft connected thereto. Forexample, the first retaining arm can be pined to the shaft and thepinned connection can allow rotation of the first retaining arm relativeto the shaft connected thereto.

In addition, a top shaft can be connected to the second retaining arm.Each of the plurality of shafts can be at least connected at one end toone of the shafts within the plurality of shafts.

The tool can also include a gear assembly adjacent to a second end ofthe expandable assembly. For example, at least a portion of the gearassembly can be connected to a portion of the second end of theexpandable assembly using a shaft or another pin. The gear assembly canbe configured to allow the first retaining arm to move in a firstdirection towards the second retaining arm as the expandable assemblyexpands. The gear assembly can also be configured to secure the firstretaining arm in a locked position when the expandable assembly isretracted, thereby securing an object.

The gear assembly can include a first gear in selective contact with arelease ratchet. When the first gear is in contact with the releaseratchet, the first retaining arm can be allowed to move toward thesecond retaining arm and prevented from moving away from the secondretaining arm. This can be accomplished by the arrangement of teeth onthe release ratchet and teeth on the first gear. For example, the teethon the release ratchet can be configured to allow the teeth on the firstgear to pass by without engagement as the first gear moves in the firstdirection as the expandable assembly expands, and the teeth on therelease ratchet can engage the teeth on the first gear as the expandableassembly retracts. As such, the engagement of the teeth on the releaseratchet and the teeth on the first gear can prevent the first retainingarm from moving away from the second retaining arm as the expandableassembly retracts.

The gear assembly can include a second gear in selective contact with adrive ratchet. When the second gear is in contact with the driveratchet, the second gear can move the first retaining arm towards thesecond retaining arm, but can be prevented from moving the firstretaining arm away from the second retaining arm. This can beaccomplished by the arrangement of teeth on the drive ratchet and teethon the second gear. That is, the teeth on the drive ratchet can engagethe teeth on the second gear as the expandable assembly expands, and theteeth on the drive ratchet can allow the teeth on the second gear topass by as the expandable assembly retracts.

The tool can also include a switch pin adapted to move the releaseratchet when the expandable assembly is at least partially expanded. Forexample, the switch pin can engage a swivel that can contact adisengagement pin in the release ratchet, thus moving the releaseratchet away from the first gear.

The gear assembly can include a gear shaft at least partially disposedthrough a portion of the second end of the expandable assembly. The gearshaft can be engaged with the first gear, second gear, and firstretaining arm. The first gear, second gear, first retaining arm, and thegear shaft can be static relative to one another.

The tool can include a switch having a first switch position and asecond switch position. The switch can be configured to keep the driveratchet away from the second gear and to engage the release ratchet whenthe expandable assembly is at least partially expanded. For example, theswitch can be configured to keep the drive ratchet away from the secondgear and to engage the release ratchet by contacting the swivel when theexpandable assembly is fully expanded or near fully expanded.

The tool can include one or more spring locks. A first spring lock canbe disposed within one of the shafts connected to one of the handles ofthe pair of handles, and a second spring lock can be disposed withinanother shaft connected to the other handle of the pair of handles.

The tool can be used with a method of retrieving a remote object.

The method can include moving a pair of handles on a first end of anexpandable assembly toward one another and expanding the expandableassembly.

As the expandable assembly is expanded, one of the retaining arms canmove towards the other retaining arm using the gear assembly.

The method can include expanding the expandable assembly until a remoteobject is located between the retaining arms and closing the retainingarms, using the gear assembly, about the remote object.

The method can include retracting the expandable assembly andmaintaining the retaining arms in a locked position using the gearassembly. The method can include releasing the object when theexpandable assembly is retracted.

The method can also include expanding the expandable assembly,maintaining the retaining arms in a locked position using the gearassembly, and releasing the object when the expandable assembly is fullyexpanded or near fully expanded.

In one or more embodiments, the tool can be sold as a kit with acarrying device. The carrying device can be configured to be secured toa portion of a user, such as a waist of the user, or a portion of theuser's clothing, such as a belt or a pocket, or combinations thereof.The carrying device can be configured to secure to a wheel chair oranother transportation device by means such as a strap inserted througha hole or belt loop on the carrying device. The carrying device can be ahard case or a soft case such as a pouch made of leather or anothermaterial.

The tool can also be used to perform a method of placing an object at adesired location. The method can include moving a first retaining armtowards a second retaining arm to secure an object there between.

The method can also include locking the first retaining arm in positionusing a gear assembly to maintain the object between the retaining arms,and moving a pair of handles on a first end of an expandable assemblytowards one another to expand the expandable assembly.

The method can also include expanding the expandable assembly until theobject is at a desired location, and releasing the first retaining armby moving a release ratchet away from the gear assembly.

The method can conclude by disposing the object at the desired location.

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded bottom front perspective view of theexpandable tool. FIG. 2 depicts a portion of an exploded bottom frontperspective view of the expandable tool shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tool 110 can include an expandableassembly 17, a first handle 10, a second handle 12, a first spring lock14, a second spring lock 16, a first gear 58, a second gear 56, a firstretaining arm 68, a release ratchet 76, a second retaining arm 70, and adrive ratchet 60.

The expandable assembly 17 can include a first shaft 22, a second shaft24, a third shaft 26, a fourth shaft 28, a fifth shaft 30, a sixth shaft32, a seventh shaft 34, and an eighth shaft 36. The shafts 22, 24, 26,28, 30, 32, 34, and 36 can be one-piece shafts or can each include afirst portion concentrically aligned with a second portion. In one ormore embodiments, the shafts 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and 36 can behollow. One or more of the shafts 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and 36 canhave a bushing disposed within at least a portion thereof. In one ormore embodiments, the bushings 100 can be made of square steel tubing.The bushings 100 can be engaged at each end-to-end and center-to-centerconnection between the shafts.

One or more pins, fasteners, rivets, bolts, screws, welds, or otherfastening means can be used to connect the shafts to one another at theends and the centers thereof.

The shafts, as well as other portions of the tool 110, can be made ofcarbon fiber, fiber reinforced plastic, aluminum, a lightweight rigidmaterial, or combinations thereof. The length and size of the shafts canvary according to a desired stability and user preference. In one ormore embodiments, each shaft can be ⅜ inch square tubing with a lengthof about 10½ inches. The shafts can be fastened end-to-end andcenter-to-center in a crossing pattern using a variety of hardware. Forexample, the shafts can be configured in a scissor lift assembly likeconfiguration. The center-to-center connections between the fifth shaft30 and the sixth shaft 32 can be flush mounted to prevent any contactbetween any connection hardware and the gears 56 and 58.

In one or more embodiments, the shafts 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and36 can be square tubing, rectangular tubing, C-channel, or another shapeof tubing. The C-channel can have three sides and can have a square orrectangular shape. The C-channel can be molded or constructed with solidends and a solid center portion surrounding moving components of thetool 110, fasteners of the tool 110, and connecting members of the tool110. The C-channel can provide for easy assembly of the tool 110 and caneliminate the need for the bushings 100, the first backing member 54 a,and the second backing member 54 b. In one or more embodiments, thefirst handle 10, the second handle 12, the first shaft 22, and thesecond shaft 24 can be made of thicker tubing than that of the shafts26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and 36, providing easy to grasp handles andadditional strength at stress points.

The first shaft 22 can be connected to the second shaft 24. For example,a central portion of the first shaft 22 can be connected to a centralportion of the second shaft 24. A portion of the first shaft 22 can alsobe connected to a portion of the fourth shaft 28. For example, an endportion of the first shaft 22 can be connected to an end portion of thefourth shaft 28.

The second shaft 24 can be connected at a portion thereof to a portionof the third shaft 26. For example, an end portion of the second shaft24 can be connected to an end portion of the third shaft 26.

A portion of the third shaft 26 can be connected to a portion of thefourth shaft 28 and to a portion of the sixth shaft 32. For example, acentral portion of the third shaft 26 can be connected to a centralportion of the fourth shaft 28, and an end portion of the third shaft 26can be connected to an end portion of the sixth shaft 32.

A portion of the fourth shaft 28 can be connected to a portion of thefifth shaft 30. For example, an end portion of the fourth shaft 28 canbe connected to an end portion of the fifth shaft 30.

The fifth shaft 30 can additionally be connected to a portion of thesixth shaft 32 and a portion of the eighth shaft 36. For example, an endportion of the fifth shaft 30 can be connected to an end portion of theeighth shaft 36, and a central portion of fifth shaft 30 can beconnected to a central portion of the sixth shaft 32.

The sixth shaft 32 can be connected to a portion of the seventh shaft34. For example, an end portion of the sixth shaft 32 can be connectedto an end portion of the seventh shaft 34.

The seventh shaft 34 can have the second retaining arm 70 on an endthereof For example, the second retaining arm 70 can be connected to anend portion of the seventh shaft 34 that is opposite the end portion ofthe seventh shaft 34 connected to the sixth shaft 32. A second grip 74can be on a portion of the second retaining arm 70. The second grip 74can be a tacky, rough, or another surface configured to increasefriction between a griped object and the second retaining arm 70. Inaddition, the second grip 74 can be a synthetic or natural polymer.

The seventh shaft 34 can be configured to connect to the release ratchet76. The release ratchet 76 can include one or more teeth, such as twoteeth, configured to selectively engage the first gear 58. For example,the release ratchet 76 can be in contact with the first gear 58 untilthe release ratchet 76 is pushed on its outer curved edge therebyreleasing the first retaining arm 68 and any object held therein.

The release ratchet 76 can be secured to the seventh shaft 34 using thefirst backing member 54 a. The first backing member 54 a can have amounting hole 53 aligned with a seventh shaft mounting hole 35 in theseventh shaft 34. A mounting fastener 80 can be disposed through themounting hole 53, the seventh shaft mounting hole 35, the releaseratchet 76, and a first antifriction spacer 84 a disposed between therelease ratchet 76 and the seventh shaft 34 to secure the releaseratchet 76 to the seventh shaft 34.

A first spring 92 a can be beneath the release ratchet 76 within ahollow of the first antifriction spacer 84 a. The first spring 92 a canbe secured within two mounting holes, such as the first spring firstmounting hole 97 in the seventh shaft 34 and the first spring secondmounting hole 99 in the release ratchet 76. The first spring 92 a can beused to keep the release ratchet 76 in a first position. When therelease ratchet 76 is in the first position, the teeth of the releaseratchet 76 can engage the first gear 58 and can prevent bi-directionalmovement of the first gear 58. A first disengagement pin 78 can bedisposed through the release ratchet 76 and through a first oval slot109 in the seventh shaft 34. The first disengagement pin 78 can beconfigured to oppose the first spring 92 a and to cause the releaseratchet 76 to move to a second position. In one or more embodiments, thefirst spring 92 a can be adjacent the first disengagement pin 78. Thefirst spring 92 a can maintain the first disengagement pin 78 and therelease ratchet 76 in the first position when pressure is not applied tothe first spring 92 a by a user or another portion of the tool 110. Thefirst spring 92 a can be any spring.

The seventh shaft 34 can also include a swivel 88 and a retainer plate90. The swivel 88 can have one or more protrusions that can beselectively aligned with the first disengagement pin 78 and can move thefirst disengagement pin 78 to move the release ratchet 76. The retainerplate 90 can be configured to secure the swivel 88 to the seventh shaft34. The retainer plate 90 can be configured to allow the swivel 88 tocontact the first disengagement pin 78 when the swivel 88 has anexternal force applied thereto. The external force can be applied by aswitch pin 50 when the tool 110 is at least partially expanded.

A first notch 86 can be disposed in the seventh shaft 34. The firstnotch 86 can be adjacent to the swivel 88. The first notch 86 canprevent a portion of the tool 110 from contacting the swivel 88 as thetool 110 is retracted.

A gear shaft 102 can have a first end that can be disposed through agear shaft hole 192 formed through the first backing member 54 a and aseventh shaft gear shaft hole 190 formed through the seventh shaft 34.The first end of the gear shaft 102 can connect to the first gear 58. Afirst spacer 82 a can be disposed between the first gear 58 and theseventh shaft 34. The first spacer 82 a can be a low friction material.For example, the first spacer 82 a can be made from nylon or another lowfriction material.

A midsection of the gear shaft 102 can be at least partially disposedthrough a gear shaft mounting hole 65 on a flat section 69 of the firstretaining arm 68. The first retaining arm 68 can have a first grip 72located thereon. The first grip 72 can be substantially similar to thesecond grip 74. The gear shaft 102 can be pressed into the gear shaftmounting hole 65 creating a solid bond therewith. The seventh shaft 34and the eighth shaft 36, along with the first spacer 82 a and a secondspacer 82 b, can be positioned over the gear shaft 102 on either side ofthe first retaining arm 68, and can be held in place by the first gear58 and the second gear 56. The first gear 58 and the second gear 56 canbe pressed onto opposing ends of the gear shaft 102.

In one or more embodiments, the flat section 69 can have a rounded end63. In embodiments, the gear shaft mounting hole 65 can be disposedthrough any portion of the first retaining arm 68.

The second end of the gear shaft 102 can also be disposed through asecond gear shaft hole 198 formed through the second backing member 54b, and an eighth shaft second gear shaft hole 199 formed through theeighth shaft 36. The second end of the gear shaft 102 can be disposedthrough the second spacer 82 b and connected to the second gear 56.

The second gear 56 can have one or more teeth. The teeth of the secondgear 56 can be selectively engaged with one or more teeth on the driveratchet 60.

The eighth shaft 36 can be configured to connect to one or more devicesfor actuating the drive ratchet 60, the release ratchet 76, or both. Forexample, the eighth shaft 36 can connect to a carriage block 48, theswitch pin 50, a switch spring 108, and a selector switch 66.

The carriage block 48, which can have a rectangular shape or anothershape, can be mounted within the eighth shaft 36. One end of thecarriage block 48 can carry the switch pin 50. The switch pin 50 can belocated in a switch pin mounting hole 51 at an edge of the carriageblock 48. The switch pin 50 can extend upwards from the carriage block48 and can be contained within the eighth shaft 36.

The selector switch 66, which can have a rectangular shape with taperedends or another shape, can be attached to the carriage block 48, such asby the fasteners 52 a and 52 b. The fasteners 52 a and 52 b can passthrough a second oval slot 153 in the eighth shaft 36. The selectorswitch 66 and the carriage block 48 can be connected through the secondoval slot 153. The second oval slot 153, in combination with thefasteners 52 a and 52 b, can create stopping points to stop the movementof the selector switch 66 and the carriage block 48.

The switch spring 108 can be used to keep force on the carriage block 48to maintain the carriage block 48 in a first position or a secondposition. The switch spring 108 can have one or more curves, bumps,extensions, or combinations thereof for ensuring that the selectorswitch 66 remains in a selected position and to lock the drive ratchet60 in a position away from the second gear 56. When the selector switch66 is in the first switch position, the drive ratchet 60 can be incontact with the second gear 56 unless the tool 110 is fully retracted.The drive ratchet 60 can be secured in a position away from the secondgear 56 when the selector switch 66 is moved to a second switch positionwhile the tool 110 is fully refracted.

The switch spring 108, which can have two downward facing ends, can bemounted to an inner surface of the eighth shaft 36 and secured within afirst switch spring mounting hole 11 a and a second switch springmounting hole 11 b therein. In one or more embodiments, a groove can bedisposed within the inner surface of the eighth shaft 36 between the twoswitch spring mounting holes 11 a and 11 b, allowing the switch spring108 to lie flush on the inner surface of the eighth shaft 36. Thisconfiguration can allow the carriage block 48 to move freely over theswitch spring 108.

As the carriage block 48 travels over the switch spring 108, thecarriage block 48 can move the switch spring 108 at least partiallythrough one of the switch spring mounting holes, such as the secondswitch spring mounting hole 11 b, and into a locking hole 94 formed intoa portion of the drive ratchet 60. For example, as the carriage block 48is moved over the switch spring 108, the switch spring 108 can be movedthrough the second switch spring mounting hole 11 b and engaged with thelocking hole 94, thereby locking the drive ratchet 60 in a position awayfrom the second gear 56. Accordingly, an object proximate to a user canbe secured between the two retaining arms 68 and 70 and the expandableassembly 17 can be expanded; upon full expansion or at least near fullexpansion of the expandable assembly 17, the switch pin 50 can contactthe swivel 88 to move the release ratchet 76 by pushing the firstdisengagement pin 78, allowing the object to be released. The firstswitch spring mounting hole 11 a can be used to mount the switch spring108.

When the selector switch 66 is in the second position, the switch spring108 can engage the drive ratchet 60, a second spring 92 b, orcombinations thereof to lock the drive ratchet 60 in a position awayfrom the second gear 56.

Furthermore, the selector switch 66 can be located on the eighth shaft36 and attached to the carriage block 48. The selector switch 66 can beconfigured to move along the eight shaft 36, thereby moving the carriageblock 48 and the switch pin 50. When the expandable assembly 17 isexpanded, the selector switch 66, when in a second switch position, canbe configured to position the switch pin 50 to engage the swivel 88,which in-turn engages the first disengaging pin 78 to move the releaseratchet 76 away from the first gear 58 and to release objects from thefirst retaining arm 68 and the second retaining arm 70. The carriageblock 48 can be configured to move along the switch spring 108 withinthe eight shaft 36 as the selector switch 66 moves.

The drive ratchet 60 can have a second disengagement pin 64 that canmove a portion of the drive ratchet 60 away from the second gear 56 whenthe tool 110 is fully retracted. In operation, the second disengagementpin 64 can be contacted by the sixth shaft 32, thereby disengaging thedrive ratchet 60 from the second gear 56. The drive ratchet 60 can besecured to the eighth shaft 36 with a shoulder screw 62 or anotherfastener. A second antifriction spacer 84 b can be disposed between thedrive ratchet 60 and the eighth shaft 36. As such, the drive ratchet 60can be locked into a position away from the second gear 56 when theswitch spring 108 is located in the locking hole 94.

A second notch 128 can be formed in the sixth shaft 32 and can receivethe second disengagement pin 64 when the expandable assembly 17 is fullyretracted.

The first handle 10 can be at least partially disposed about a portionof the second shaft 24. The first spring lock 14 can be disposed withinthe second shaft 24. The second shaft 24 can have a first hole 25 forallowing a first spring lock protrusion 18 to extend from the secondshaft 24. The first spring lock protrusion 18 can selectively engage afirst lock hole 21 formed into the first handle 10. As such, the firstspring lock protrusion 18 can secure the first handle 10 in place whenengaged with the first lock hole 21 formed in the first handle 10. Thefirst spring lock protrusion 18 can be pushed inwards to allow the firsthandle 10 to move about the second shaft 24.

The second handle 12 can be at least partially disposed about the firstshaft 22. The second spring lock 16 can be disposed within the firstshaft 22. The first shaft 22 can have a second hole 27 allowing a secondspring lock protrusion 20 to selectively engage a second lock hole 23,which can be formed in the second handle 12.

FIG. 3 depicts a top front perspective view of the tool 110 in apartially extended position. FIG. 4 depicts a bottom front perspectiveview of the tool 110 in a partially extended position. As the expandableassembly 17 expands, the second retaining arm 70 and the first retainingarm 68 can move towards one another. In one or more embodiments, thesecond retaining arm 70 can be rigid and nonflexible, and the firstretaining arm 68 can be flexible and configured to bend and compressagainst objects to secure the objects. The first retaining arm 68 can beconfigured to flexibly engage objects, and the second retaining arm 70can be configured to statically engage objects. The nonflexible rigidityof the second retaining arm 70 can prevent the second retaining arm 70from contacting the fifth shaft 30 and the eight 36 when the tool 110 isfully retracted while holding an object. The flexibility of the firstretaining arm 68 can allow the first retaining arm 68 to bend and becompressed against objects until forward motion of the tool 110 ceases.As soon as the direction of the tool 110 is reversed and the tool 110begins to retract, the first retaining arm 68 can be locked in placewhile holding the tension of the compressed first retaining arm 68,thereby securing the object.

FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged top perspective view of the tool 110 showingthe interaction between the various components used to engage anddisengage one or more spur gears of the tool 110. The selector switch 66can have a first switch position 67 a and a second switch position 67 b.The selector switch 66 is shown in the second switch position 67 b. Theselector switch 66 can be configured to keep the drive ratchet 60 awayfrom the second gear 56 and to move the switch pin 50. For example, withthe selector switch 66 in the second switch position 67 b, the switchpin 50 can be disposed in an actuated position, such that when theexpandable assembly is fully expanded, or near fully expanded, theswitch pin 50 can contact the swivel 88, which can cause the swivel 88to contact the first disengagement pin 78. The first disengagement pin78 can thereby move and cause the release ratchet 76 to move away fromthe first gear 58. When the release ratchet 76 is away from the firstgear 58 and the drive ratchet 60 is held away from the second gear 56 bythe selector switch 66, the first retaining arm 68 can pivot away fromthe second retaining arm 70, which allows the object to be released fromthe retaining arms 68 and 70. The arrows shown proximate the switch pin50 and the swivel 88 show the directional movement of the switch pin 50and the swivel 88 upon expansion of the tool 110.

Two opposing protrusions or pins of the swivel 88 can be used formounting the swivel 88 in the seventh shaft 34 and the retainer plate90, and can also allow for a slight reciprocating rotation of the swivel88. The reciprocating rotation of the swivel 88 can be used to push atip of the first disengaging pin 78 to move the release ratchet 76. Theretainer plate 90 can sit in the first retainer notch 91 and the secondretainer notch 92 formed in the seventh shaft 34.

FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged bottom perspective view of the tool 110showing the interaction between the various components used to engageand disengage one or more spur gears. The release ratchet 76 is depictedcontacting the first gear 58. The switch pin 50 is shown in proximity tothe swivel 88. The carriage block 48 is shown engaged over the switchspring 108 due to the selector switch 66 being in the second position.

FIG. 7 depicts an enlarged top perspective view of the tool 110 showingan embodiment of a device usable to move a release ratchet of the tool110.

The tool 110 can include a slide block 130 engaged within the seventhshaft 34, such as within a bottom side of the seventh shaft 34. Theslide block 130 can be configured to engage the first disengagement pin78. The slide block 130 can be a rectangular block and can include aslot or a recessed portion.

The recessed portion can be a diagonal cut out 131 on a bottom surfaceof the slide block 130. Accordingly, the slide block 130 can move withinthe seventh shaft 34 and the slide block 130 can actuate the firstdisengaging pin 78 to move the release ratchet 76 away from the firstgear 58.

In operation, the selector switch 66 can be moved to a second switchposition 67 b to move the switch pin 50 and to hold the drive ratchet 60away from the second gear 56. As the tool 110 is expanded, the switchpin 50 can engage a protruding arm or contact arm 132 of the slide block130. The contact arm 132 can protrude outward from a mounting hole inthe slide block 130 and extend from the seventh shaft 34. Once engagedby the switch pin 50, the slide block 130 can engage a portion of thefirst disengagement pin 78. For example, the recessed portion 131 of theslide block 130 can engage the first disengaging pin 78, thereby movingthe release ratchet 76 away from the first gear 58.

In one or more embodiments, the seventh shaft 34 can include grooveswithin which the slide block 130 can be engaged. For example, the slideblock 130 can have one or more protruding ridges that can engage one ormore grooves within the seventh shaft 34. The slide block 130 can snapin place and move freely within the seventh shaft 34. In thisembodiment, the swivel and the retainer plate can be removed from theseventh shaft 34.

FIG. 8 depicts an enlarged bottom perspective view of the tool 110 withembodiments of one or more devices usable to move the drive ratchet awayfrom the second gear 56.

A wedge 98 can be on the carriage block 48. The wedge 98 can beconfigured to engage an additional disengagement pin 95 disposed throughthe drive ratchet and the eighth shaft 36. When the selector switch 66is moved to the second switch position, the wedge 98 can engage theadditional disengagement pin 95, and the drive ratchet can be moved awayfrom the second gear 56. In this embodiment, the switch spring can beremoved from the eighth shaft 36.

FIGS. 9A-9E depict an embodiment of the tool 110 at various positionsduring operation of the tool 110.

In FIG. 9A the tool 110 is depicted in a retracted position with thefirst handle 10 and the second handle 12 in a retracted position.

In FIG. 9B the tool 110 is depicted with the first handle 10 and thesecond handle 12 in an expanded position. The tool 110 can be operatedwith the first handle 10 and the second handle 12 in an expanded orretracted position.

In FIG. 9C, a first hand 120 and a second hand 122 of a user aredepicted pushing the first handle 10 and the second handle 12 towardsone another, which expands the expandable assembly 17. As the expandableassembly 17 is expanded, the first retaining arm 68 can be moved towardthe second retaining arm 70.

FIG. 9D depicts the tool 110 in an expanded position with the firstretaining arm 68 and the second retaining arm 70 applying a pressure toan object 810. As the first retaining arm 68 and the second retainingarm 70 apply the pressure to the object 810, the object 810 can be heldbetween the retaining arms 68 and 70. The first retaining arm 68 can belocked in position by the release ratchet and the first gear 58.

In FIG. 9E the tool 110 is depicted in a retracted position. Once thetool 110 is in the retracted position, the first retaining arm 68 can befreed to move by pushing the release ratchet on its curved edge. Assuch, the object 810 can be released by the first retaining arm 68 andthe second retaining arm 70.

While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on theembodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of theappended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than asspecifically described herein.

1. A tool configured to grasp an object and either expand or retractwhile holding the object, wherein the tool is further configured torelease the object after the tool is expanded or retracted, the toolcomprising: a. a pair of handles on a first end of an expandableassembly, wherein the pair of handles are adapted to expand theexpandable assembly when they are moved towards one another and toretract the expandable assembly when they are moved away from oneanother; and b. a gear assembly disposed on a second end of theexpandable assembly, wherein the gear assembly is configured to move afirst retaining arm towards a second retaining arm as the expandableassembly expands.
 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the gear assembly isconfigured to allow the first retaining arm to remain in a lockedposition when the expandable assembly is retracted.
 3. The tool of claim1, wherein the expandable assembly comprises an expandable body with aplurality of shafts comprising: a. a shaft connected to a handle of thepair of handles; b. an additional shaft connected to another handle ofthe pair of handles; c. another shaft pinned to the first retaining armby at least a portion of the gear assembly; and d. a top shaft connectedto the second retaining arm, wherein each shaft of the plurality ofshafts is connected to at least one of the other shafts of the pluralityof shafts.
 4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the gear assembly comprises:a. a first gear in selective contact with a release ratchet and adaptedto rotate in a first direction when in contact with the release ratchet;and b. a second gear in contact with a drive ratchet, wherein the driveratchet is configured to move the first retaining arm towards the secondretaining arm as the expandable assembly is expanded.
 5. The tool ofclaim 4, further comprising a switch having a first switch position anda second switch position.
 6. The tool of claim 4, further comprising agear shaft disposed through the second end of the expandable assembly,the first gear, the second gear, and the first retaining arm.
 7. Thetool of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of spring locksdisposed within a portion of the first end of the expandable assembly.8. A tool configured to grasp objects and to expand and retract whileholding the objects, the tool comprising: a. an expandable assemblycomprising a plurality of shafts; b. a first handle connected to a firstshaft of the plurality of shafts at a first end of the expandableassembly; c. a second handle connected to a second shaft of theplurality of shafts at the first end of the expandable assembly, whereinthe first shaft is connected at a center thereof to a center of thesecond shaft, wherein the first handle and the second handle are adaptedto expand the expandable assembly when the first handle and the secondhandle are moved towards one another, and wherein the first handle andthe second handle are adapted to retract the expandable assembly whenthe first handle and the second handle are moved away from one another;d. a gear assembly connected to a second end of the expandable assembly;e. a first retaining arm connected to the gear assembly; and f. a secondretaining arm connected to the second end of the expandable assembly,wherein the gear assembly is configured to move the first retaining armtowards the second retaining arm as the expandable assembly expands. 9.The tool of claim 8, wherein the gear assembly is further configured toallow the first retaining arm to be locked in place when the expandableassembly is expanded.
 10. The tool of claim 8, wherein the firstretaining arm and the second retaining arm are configured to hold anobject as the expandable assembly is expanded.
 11. The tool of claim 10,wherein the gear assembly is further configured to allow the firstretaining arm to move away from the second retaining arm to release theobject when the expandable assembly is at least partially expanded. 12.The tool of claim 10, wherein the gear assembly is further configured toallow the first retaining arm to move away from the second retaining armto release the object when the expandable assembly is fully expanded.13. The tool of claim 8, wherein the gear assembly is further configuredto allow the first retaining arm to be locked in place when theexpandable assembly is retracted.
 14. The tool of claim 8, furthercomprising a switch having a first switch position and a second switchposition.
 15. The tool of claim 8, further comprising: a. a first springlock disposed within the first shaft; and b. a second spring lockdisposed within the second shaft.
 16. A method of retrieving an objectcomprising: a. moving a pair of handles on a first end of an expandableassembly toward one another and expanding the expandable assembly,wherein a pair of retaining arms are disposed on a second end of theexpandable assembly; b. moving one of the retaining arms of the pair ofretaining arms using a gear assembly towards the other retaining arm ofthe pair of retaining arms as the expandable assembly is expanded; c.expanding the expandable assembly until a remote object is locatedbetween the pair of retaining arms and closing the pair of retainingarms about the remote object; d. retracting the expandable assembly andmaintaining the pair of retaining arms in a locked position using thegear assembly; and e. releasing the object when the expandable assemblyis retracted.